Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh (must see)
For all art lovers鈥攜es, even the ones who can鈥檛 tell a Botticelli from a biscotti (an Italian almond biscuit for those unaware)鈥攖he Scottish National Gallery is a must-do cultural pitstop. Perched elegantly on the Mound right next to the Royal Scottish Academy, this temple of fine art has been dazzling eyeballs since 1859. Back then, it was a bit of a packed house: the gallery, the academy, and even the Portrait Gallery all cozied up under one neoclassical roof. Eventually, the Portrait Gallery moved to its new location, and by 1906, the academy shuffled next door too鈥攂ecause elbow room really matters when you鈥檙e hanging a Titian...
The gallery was entirely renovated in 1912. Today it boasts a collection of over 30,000 artworks, featuring both Scottish and European art鈥攆rom Renaissance to Romanticism, with a few moody Impressionists thrown in for flair. Among them are Bassano, Botticelli, Bernini, C茅zanne, Degas, da Vinci, and... deep breath... El Greco, Titian, and Tiepolo, too. Want something bolder? Don鈥檛 miss Gauguin鈥檚 鈥淰ision of the Sermon.鈥� And if you fancy some sculptural marble drama, Canova鈥檚 鈥淭hree Graces鈥� has you covered.
The gallery also houses the Research Library鈥攐ne of the world's finest reference libraries鈥攚hich is a treasure trove of over 50,000 books, journals, and oddities spanning seven centuries from the 1300s. Meanwhile, the Western Link connects the gallery to the academy via a sleek underground space with a lecture theatre, a classy caf茅, and a shop full of irresistible arty bits. Plus, there's an interactive IT Gallery, where, using touch-screens, you can swipe your way through the gallery鈥檚 entire collection like a very refined dating app.
So, whenever you feel like getting up close with a da Vinci sketch and still having time for tea, check out this place. It鈥檚 free to enter the permanent exhibits, and the cozy layout makes for a perfect rainy-day escape.
Insider tip:
Make sure you visit both the main Gallery and the Academy behind it.
Note the grand Turner watercolor exhibition that goes on show every January鈥攕ome truly wonderful insights into his travels around Europe. It鈥檚 like Europe through the eyes of a genius鈥攚ith less fog and more flair...
The gallery was entirely renovated in 1912. Today it boasts a collection of over 30,000 artworks, featuring both Scottish and European art鈥攆rom Renaissance to Romanticism, with a few moody Impressionists thrown in for flair. Among them are Bassano, Botticelli, Bernini, C茅zanne, Degas, da Vinci, and... deep breath... El Greco, Titian, and Tiepolo, too. Want something bolder? Don鈥檛 miss Gauguin鈥檚 鈥淰ision of the Sermon.鈥� And if you fancy some sculptural marble drama, Canova鈥檚 鈥淭hree Graces鈥� has you covered.
The gallery also houses the Research Library鈥攐ne of the world's finest reference libraries鈥攚hich is a treasure trove of over 50,000 books, journals, and oddities spanning seven centuries from the 1300s. Meanwhile, the Western Link connects the gallery to the academy via a sleek underground space with a lecture theatre, a classy caf茅, and a shop full of irresistible arty bits. Plus, there's an interactive IT Gallery, where, using touch-screens, you can swipe your way through the gallery鈥檚 entire collection like a very refined dating app.
So, whenever you feel like getting up close with a da Vinci sketch and still having time for tea, check out this place. It鈥檚 free to enter the permanent exhibits, and the cozy layout makes for a perfect rainy-day escape.
Insider tip:
Make sure you visit both the main Gallery and the Academy behind it.
Note the grand Turner watercolor exhibition that goes on show every January鈥攕ome truly wonderful insights into his travels around Europe. It鈥檚 like Europe through the eyes of a genius鈥攚ith less fog and more flair...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Edinburgh. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Scottish National Gallery on Map
Sight Name: Scottish National Gallery
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh
Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Harry Potter Trail
Years after the release of the last Harry Potter book and movie, the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter doesn't seem to fade away and the fandom continues strong as ever. Although by now Harry Potter has become a household name across the globe, the fact that J.K. Rowling penned some of the world's favorite wizarding stories in Scotland's capital, where she still lives now, makes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour
If you like cities with a split personality, Edinburgh is definitely one such, featuring a striking mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. Indeed, here medieval grit meets Enlightenment wit, and every cobbled incline has a story to tell鈥攚hether your legs are ready for it or not. Perched (or more like wedged) across volcanic hills, the city has been Scotland鈥檚 capital since the 15th century... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Edinburgh Pub Crawl
Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Royal Mile Walking Tour
The Royal Mile, a steep thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, is one of the city's busiest tourist destinations. It runs down a slope, from the famed Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace and the ruined Holyrood Abbey, for almost exactly a mile and thus got its name, coined in 1920. The succession of streets forming the Royal Mile is lined with numerous shops, pubs,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Literary Landmarks Tour
For centuries, Edinburgh has been home to numerous writers. The likes of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and JK Rowling, just to name a few, have given pride to this city. Fortunately, the tradition doesn't seem to die out any time soon, as Edinburgh keeps producing more and more authors and literary heroes in whose footsteps people still wish to tread.
Naturally, there is a wealth... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Naturally, there is a wealth... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Famous Squares and Streets Walking Tour
Being in Edinburgh, it is only natural to be curious about the avenues, boulevards, and streets leading to (or stemming from) the city's picturesque squares. There, you can find a copious amount of historic and religious sites, fashion stores, classy restaurants, and marketplaces, not to mention some hidden gems, exploring which is well worth the time spent.
One of Edinburgh's most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
One of Edinburgh's most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Scottish Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Scottish Things to Buy in Edinburgh
The popularity of Scotland stretches far beyond its geographical borders, fueled, in large part, by Hollywood's interest in the Scottish theme - Sean Connery (as James Bond), "Braveheart", etc. Indeed, the cultural spectrum of this part of Britain is enormous and comprises great...
19 Best Pubs in New Town, Edinburgh
A guide to the pubs that make up the area that is called Edinburgh's New Town. A description about what you can expect from each of the locations in the directory. A fantastic directory if you are a tourist or even a...
Top 12 Pubs On and Around Royal Mile in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a vibrant city with abundant nightlife and no shortage of places to go after dusk. The Royal Mile alone, in the very heart of Edinburgh, is laden with character spots craving to be discovered by the first time visitors to the city. This is the highlight of some of the most notable bars...